The Festival Collection

The Festival Collection
If you're tired of looking for movies at the rental place, here's an alternative. Blockbuster has a bunch of film festival-type movies from all of the the world. I plan to be picking up a few of these.

It's True Spirituality, Live at "Studio 60" - Beliefnet Entertainment blog, TV blog, Movie blog, Religion in entertainment blog

Idol Chatter: It's True Spirituality, Live at "Studio 60" - Beliefnet Entertainment blog, TV blog, Movie blog, Religion in entertainment blog

I've watched this show a couple of tmes and I really like it. Reminded me a bit of what "L.A. Law" tried to do all those years ago - have a christian character who was a REAL PERSON.

Dallas Willard: Don't make outreach a primary goal

Common wisdom says that inwardly focused churches need to focus on outreach in order to change. Dallas Willard challenges this wisdom in Renovation of the Heart:

It is, I gently suggest, a serious error to make "outreach" a primary goal of the local congregation, and especially so when those who are already "with us" have not become clear-headed and devoted apprentices of Jesus, and are not, for the most part, solidly progressing along the path. Outreach is one essential task of Christ's people, and among them there will always be those especially gifted for evangelism. But the most successful work of outreach would be the work of inreach that turns people, wherever they are, into lights in the darkened world.

A simple goal for the leaders of a particular group would be to bring all those in attendance to understand clearly what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to be solidly committed to discipleship in their whole life. That is, when they are asked who they are, the first words out of their mouth would be, "I am an apprentice of Jesus Christ." This goal would have to be approached very gently and lovingly and patiently with existing groups, where the people involved have not understood this to be part of their membership commitment.

Yet Another Update

Just to let you all know what's been happening. This morning I had a test done called a T.E.E.. It went well, and I am only feeling a bit of a sore throat. The information they gain from this test will direct the surgeons as to what they'l when they crack me open. Thanks to all who prayed; I felt them.

Ricky Gervais

If you're a fan of "The Office" (American version), you have to thank the man Ricky Gervais, who is one of the funniest people I've seen. In addition to writing and starring in the original "Office" (British version), he's done a bunch of other stuff, including a in-house video for Microsoft that was leaked onto the net for a few days. Apparently he has a new show called Extras. I tried to watch it online, but it took too long to download. Did I mention that I thnk I am becoming more ADD every day? If you have a chance to see the original Office Series (two seasons and Christmas special), DO IT. I rented them from my local library.

Off for the weekend

Been a while again. Just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive. My wife is gone for a few days, and me 'n' the kids are off to my parents in Swift Current for a weekend of food and merriment.

My heart deal is the same. I am still waiting for a TransEsophageal Echo. Once that happens, the surgeons will have the information they need to do the operation. My hope is that the delay means they are not overly concerned, and not that they forgot.

Work at the chaplaincy has been good in some ways, and tough in others. Politics always seems to get in the way, and I am dealing with a little of that right now. I also find that the stories I hear - most of which are tragic - are becoming more difficult to listen to. They exhaust me, especially when I have a day of them. I know that this is my job, and that's cool. But it does tend to wear on a guy.